Pike County Miner Killed in Accident

A Pike County miner has died following an accident at the McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corporation's Mine No. 23 in Kimper. From the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing: Preliminary reports indicate 33-year-old Farley Sargent was laying track when a rib roll occurred. A rib roll is when a portion of the coal pillar wall falls into the corridor.

According to federal records, the mine had been inspected by federal regulators several times already this month, and had racked up 16 violations since June 1. Five of those were categorized as "significant and substantial"

The state is investigating the accident, which happened around 11:40 this morning. Sargent's death marks Kentucky's second mining death this year.